IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ

Transcript

1 Περίληψη : Member of the dynasty of the Grand Komnenoi and emperor of Trebizond (1349/ ). Alexios III Grand Komnenos rose to the throne after a long period of exile in Constantinople. The first year of his reign were marked by rebellions and conspiracies. He was confronted with a number of external threats, such as the Turcoman attacks, which he successfully handled with his intermarriage policy, and the rivalry between the Genoese and Venetian merchants. He died in 20 March Άλλα Ονόματα John Komnenos, Kaloioannes, Grand Komnenos, Komnenos Alexios III, Angelos Doukas Τόπος και Χρόνος Γέννησης October 5, 1338, Trebizond Τόπος και Χρόνος Θανάτου March 20, 1390, Trebizond Κύρια Ιδιότητα Emperor of Trebizond (1349/ ) 1. Biography 1.1. Prosopography Alexios III Grand Komnenos was born on October 5, His real name was John; however, after his rise to the throne he was renamed Alexios, in honour of his grandfather Alexios II Grand Komnenos. He was the second son of Emperor Basil Grand Komnenos ( ) and of Irene of Trebizond, a member of an aristocratic family of Trebizond. He was also the brother of Alexios Komnenos, Theodora Grand Komnene and Maria Grand Komnene. He married Theodora Kantakouzene Komnene, the niece of the Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos (1348/ ), and had seven children: Anna, Basil, the future Emperor Manuel III Grand Komnenos ( ), Eudokia and three more daughters, whose names are not known. He also had an illegitimate son, Andronikos. His wedding to Theodora Kantakouzene took place on 28 September 1351 in the katholikon of the monastery of St Eugenios. On January 21, 1350 John became emperor under the name Alexios III, having returned to Trebizond from Constantinople after a long period of exile. 2 He died on 20 March Reign During his reign Alexios III Grand Komnenos was confronted with the internal conflict and the civil wars between the aristocratic families of Trebizond, tormenting the Empire since the reign of Irene Palaiologina ( ), first wife of Alexios father, Basil Grand Komnenos ( ). Alexios was unable to overpower the two fighting groups and chose to approach each of them in turn, depending on the circumstances, while often arresting members of the opposing family. He also encountered the external threats that were the result of the rivalry between the Venetian and the Genoese merchants, as well as the attacks of the Turcomans on the lands of the Empire. Alexios III was also a great patron of the school of higher education in Trebizond and of many churches and monasteries of the area. He also restored the walls of the city and of many regional fortresses. 2. The rise to the throne The Trapezuntine aristocracy was represented mainly by two families, the Scholarios, with their Constantinopolitan alliances, and the native Amytzantarios family. After the death of Basil Grand Komnenos ( ) on April 6, 1340, the two families took advantage of the void in power and the lack of a legitimate heir; what is more, Basil s first legal wife, Irene Palaiologina ( ) was having difficulty to enforce her authority. Other families, such as Kabasitai, Meizomates, Doranitai and Tzanichites were also involved in the internal conflict. In August 1340, John the future Alexios III Grand Komnenos together with his mother and older brother were sent in exile to Constantinople. On December 22, 1349, after Michael Grand Komnenos ( ) abdicated the throne, 3 Alexios and his mother Irene of Trebizond returned to Trebizond, aiming to claim the Trebizondian throne peacefully, with the support of John VI Kantakouzenos. Alexios was admitted into the city by the people and the noblemen and was crowned on January the 21 of the following year in the katholikon of the monastery of St Eugenios. After his enthronement he Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 1/9

2 forced Michael Grand Komnenos to become a monk in the rock-cut monastery of St Sabbas. 3. Internal affairs 3.1. Revolts conspiracies From the very first year of his reign, Alexios III Grand Komnenos attempted to contain the political unrest, caused by the animosity between the aristocratic families of Trebizond; he often allied himself with one or the other family or pursued their members. In June he arrested the megas stratopedarches_theodore Doranites, also called Pilelis, and the protovestiarios_constantine Doranites, as well as other members of the same family. They were incarcerated for a short period of time in a prison especially arranged for members of the aristocracy. However, his actions did not dissuade the ambitious aristocracy, who kept conspiring against the emperor. In January 1351, Leo Kabasites organised a conspiracy against Alexios III. The emperor arrested Kabasites and replaced him with Pileles, who had been freed in the meantime. Shortly afterwards Pilelis revolted once again, occupying Trebizond s acropolis, known as the castle of Koulas; he even captured the megas doux_niketas Scholares. However, this new attempt met an unsuccessful end, since it was not backed up by the people. The conspirators were arrested and imprisoned in the castle of Kegchrinas; a year later, in 1352, they were executed. At that time, the emperor, feeling insecure due to the continuous revolts, moved to Tripolis. In September 1351 Alexios III s mother was placed in charge of a mission against Constantine Doranites in Limnia, while in April 1352 the emperor s relations with the pinkernes John Tzanichites were restored; only a few months earlier, in January, 5 Tzanichites had occupied the fortress of Tzanicha. In May 1355 the emperor marched against the megas douxniketas Scholares. Scholares had assisted the emperor against the Doranites earlier, but he had gathered his own powerful forces after the events of June 1350 and eventually revolted in June 1354, occupying Cerasous. Niketas Scholares also attempted to attack the city of Trebizond by sea, helped by his son and the protovestiarios Basil Choupakis. In May 1355 Alexios III Grand Komnenos took over Cerasous, however he was not able to capture the rebels, who fled to the castle of Kegchrinas. At the same time Michael Grand Komnenos ( ) made an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the throne. In October 1356 the emperor ordered the megas domestikos Meizomates and the megas stratopedarches Michael Sampson to march against Kegchrinas and capture Scholares and his followers. The strain in the relations between the emperor and the aristocracy was evident when the Kabasitai and George Scholares attempted to murder Alexios III Grand Komnenos at the river of St Gregory in Katabatos, on October 27, The Kabazites were captured but George Scholares escaped to Amisos; the bishop of Trebizond Nephon was confined to the monastery of Soumela, as an accomplice to the conspiracy. In 1371, Alexios III issued a chrysobull, which returned to George Doranites the revenues of the village Chorobe; it was an attempt to make amends and indicate that he wished to put an end to the civil strife Imperial patronage Alexios III Grand Komnenos was the benefactor of many churches and monasteries in the area of Pontos and in mainland Greece. In 1362 he restored and decorated with frescoes the church of St Phokas, the katholikon of the Kordyle monastery, which he himself had founded. In the period he restored the Soumela monastery, while in 1364 he issued a chrysobull according to the monastery benefits, people who could live and work as paroikoi and estates. He also donated an icon of the Virgin Mary, in the iconographic type of the Unfading Rose (Rhodon to Amaranton). 7 In 1365 he issued a chrysobull donating estates to the monastery of St George Choutouras, 8 while in 1374 he founded the monastery of St Dionysios on Mount Athos. The monk Dionysios provided financial support for the construction of the monastery on behalf of the Emperor Alexios III, along with the annual sum of 1000 silver coins. In 1376, Alexios decorated with frescoes the katholikon of the monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos, possibly after the death of his son Andronikos and his burial there. In 1378 he constructed the monastery of St Laurentios in Pelion and in 1386 he gave privileges to the monastery of Vazelon by chrysobull. Representations of Alexios III adorn the katholikon of the monastery of Soumela, of the monastery of St. Eugenios and the narthex of the church of the monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos. During the reign of Alexios III Komnenos the school of higher education in Trebizond prospered, under the personal interest and benefaction of the emperor himself. Under Alexios III, the Empire of Trebizond in general went through a period of prosperity and fruition, especially after the end of the internal strife and the successful eradication of external threats. 4. Alexios III confronted by the Turcomans Alexios III Grand Komnenos made consistent and arduous efforts to regain the areas of the Empire occupied by the Turcoman emirs, but also to secure the Empire s borders against the attacks of its neighbours, who constantly threatened it during his reign. In August 1355 Sorogaina was freed by the duke of Chaldia, John Kabasites. On November 27, 1356 and again during 1373, the emperor unsuccessfully Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 2/9

3 marched against Cheriane. On November 11, 1357 the Empire of Trebizond was attacked by Ibrahim Haçi emir in the area of Palaiomatzouka. In 1360, while the emperor was constructing the castle of Koukos in Chaldia, he was attacked by the Turcoman emir, Hoça Latif, who forced him to stop the construction. Hoça Latif unsuccessfully turned against Matzouka the following year. In October 1361 the Turcoman Ahi Aynapak attacked the fortress of Golache and laid siege to it without success; the castle finally fell to the Turcomans in In 1370 Alexios III Grand Komnenos defeated the Turkomans in the area of Marmara, while making arduous efforts to retain power in Limnia and to repel the Turkoman attacks. In February 1380 he successfully marched against the Tziapnid Turks with both military and naval forces. Still, Alexios III was failing to prevail over his Muslim neighbours, so he turned to marriage alliances as the fundament of his external policy. 5. Marriage alliances 5.1. Marriage alliances with Muslim rulers Trying to keep at bay the Turcoman rulers and their aspirations against the Empire of Trebizond, Alexios III Grand Komnenos developed an external policy, based on marriage alliances between the female members of the dynasty of the Grand Komnenoi and the heirs of the Turcoman emirates. Through this diplomatic route, Alexios III managed to gain territorial security for his Empire but also to ensure that the trade routes remained open in the area of the Pontos, especially the towns of Paipert and Keltzene, while the ports remained under his control. The first intermarriage took place in 1352, between the Amiot emir beğ and Alexios sister, Maria Grand Komnene. 9 The second marriage, in 1358, was between Ibrahim Haçi emir and Theodora Grand Komnene, sister of Alexios, after the Turcoman ruler s attack in Palaiomatzouka, in an effort to prevent a new attack. On 8 October 1379 the emir of Limnia Taccedin married Eudokia Grand Komnene, daughter of Alexios III, 10 in exchange for the area of Limnia; Limnia was finally lost to the Kepnites in At some point after 1380 the Turcoman ruler of Paipert and Keltzene Muthharten married a daughter or Alexios III, and another daughter of his married Osman Karayuluk, son of Maria Grand Komnene and Kutlu beğ. It is also possible that a daughter of Alexios III married the emir of Chalybia, Suleyman Haçi emir Marriage alliances with Christian rulers Alexios III Grand Komnenos applied the same policy of marriage alliances in his diplomatic communication with Christian rulers, aiming to preserve good relations and alliances. His widowed sister Theodora married the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos ( ), 12 while his daughter Anna was married to the king of Iberia (Georgia) Bagrat V ( ) in His son Manuel III Grand Komnenos was married to Koulkanhad, daughter of the king of Georgia David VII ( ). 13 Their marriage took place on September 6, 1377 and Alexios III was stephanokrator (he held the marriage wreaths over the heads of the newlyweds). 6. Alexios III confronted with the expansionary policy of Genoa and Venice The rivalry between Venetian and Genoese merchants, which sometimes resulted in confrontations between them, was one of the most crucial external threats to the Empire, the two rivals often moving their hostilities on trapezuntine territories, 14 as well as posing an economic threat. In 1364 Venice sent William Michael to Alexios III demanding the concession of an area for their commercial quarter; with a chrysobull issued on the same year, they were granted the quarter between the area of St Theodore Gabras and the coast, at the eastern suburbs of Trebizond. 15 This move was a blow to the near monopoly of Genoa in the Black Sea and brought an immediate reaction from the Genoese merchants, who, at the time, had their quarter in the area between Leontokastron and Kaneta; one of the most violent reactions was a conflict during a feast in the main square of the city (meytan). 16 In 1367, with a second chrysobull, Alexios III issued the Venetians with new commercial privileges and duty reductions; they were also allowed to expand their quarter into the city of Trebizond and build their own castle. Alexios III even promised to cover the expenses for the construction of an enclosure and a tower. However, this castle remained unfinished, since in 1368 Venice failed to send the necessary funds for its completion. This renewal of good relations between the Empire of Trebizond and Venice was proved superficial, as shows the hostility between the natives and the Venetians; it was further intensified by Alexios III s efforts to impose his authority upon the Venetian merchants and his later recall of the privileges given to them by the chrysobulls of 1364 and The Venetians were further aggravated by new taxation, resulting to debts and financial losses, caused by their competition with the local traders. They repeatedly sent letters to the emperor demanding compensation and in November 1375 they organised a campaign aiming to dethrone him, led by Marco Giustiniani da S. Polo. In the end, military action against Alexios III was prevented in favour of peaceful negotiations, where the leaders of the campaign demanded compensation for the Venetians losses and reduction of taxes. The new treaty, signed between the emperor and the Venetian merchants, also provided that the emperor s debt to Venice would be reduced by half This opinion is expressed by the editors of the Prosopographisches Lexicon der Palaiologenzeit. See Κομνηνός Αλέξιος ΙΙΙ. Άγγελος Δούκας, Prosopographisches Lexicon der Palaiologenzeit 5, no (Wien 1981), pp Nicol places the birth of Emperor Alexios III Grand Komnenos in See Nicol, D. M., The byzantine family of Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 3/9

4 Kantakouzenos, ca A Genealogical and Prosopographical Study (Washington D.C. 1968), p In 1340, after the death of Emperor Basil Grand Komnenos, his former wife Irene entered the palace and took reign of the Empire. Basil s widow, Irene of Trebizond, and her two sons Alexios and John (Alexios III) were sent in exile to Constantinople. See Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, «Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος», Αρχείον Πόντου 4-5 (Athens 1933), p On 13 December 1349 Michael abdicated the throne due to illness, but also because of his inability to prevail over the internal turmoil tormenting the Empire. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), p This view is argued by Bryer, see Bryer, A., "The Estates of the Empire of Trebizond. Evidence for their recourches, products, agriculture, ownership and location" Aρχείον Πόντου 35 (1979), pp Bredenkamp places the arrest of the Doranites in June See Bredenkamp, F., "The Doranites family of the 14th century Byzantine Empire of Trebizond" Βυζαντιακά 19 (1999), p See Λυμπερόπουλος, B., O Bυζαντινός Πόντος. H αυτοκρατορία της Tραπεζούντας (Athens 1999), p Bryer places the murder attempt against the emperor on October 26, See Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos Ι (Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20, Washington D.C. 1985), p See Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos Ι (Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20, Washington D.C. 1985), p On the authenticity of the chrysobull see Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos Ι (Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20, Washington D.C. 1985), p On July 14, 1365 Alexios III received with great honours his daughter Maria and the emir Kutlu beğ. In 1367 the emperor himself also visited the Muslim emir. See Bryer, A., "Greeks and Turkmens: The Pontic exception", Dumbarton Oaks Paper 29 (1975), p The emir Taccedin had proposed to marry Eudokia, the daughter of Alexios III as early as However, the alliance was postponed due to negative popular reaction in Trebizond. For the reasons behind this reaction see Zachariadou, E. A., "Trebizond and the Turks ( )", Αρχείον Πόντου 35 (1979), p. 346 Bryer, A., "Greeks and Turkmens: The Pontic exception", Dumbarton Oaks Paper 29 (1975), p This view is suggested by Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), p. 64. Also see Nicol, D.M., The last Centuries of Byzantium (London 1972; repr. Cambridge 1997), p The initial proposal involved John V s son and was discussed in Constantinople with the ambassadors sent by Alexios III Grand Komnenos: the protonotarios Michael Panaretos and the megas logothetes George Scholares. Finally John V himself married Theodora Grand Komnene. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), pp Initially Andronikos, the illegitimate son of Emperor Alexios, was supposed to marry the Georgian princess Koulkanhat. However, after Andronikos death, the marriage was concluded between the princess and the future emperor, Manuel III. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), p In August 1352 Venetian ships arrived in Trebizond and attacked the Genoese ships anchored in the town s port. See Λυμπερόπουλος, B., O Bυζαντινός Πόντος. H αυτοκρατορία της Tραπεζούντας (Athens 1999), p For the exact geographical position of the region given to the Venetian merchants and the many opinions expressed see Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos Ι (Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20, Washington D.C. 1985), p Zakythinos, D. A. (ed.), Le Chrysobulle d Alexis ΙΙΙ Comnene, Émpereur de Trébizonde en faveur des Venitiens (Paris 1932), pp Λυμπερόπουλος, B., O Bυζαντινός Πόντος. H αυτοκρατορία της Tραπεζούντας (Athens 1999), p Βιβλιογραφία : Λυμπερόπουλος Β.Χ., Ο Βυζαντινός Πόντος. Η Αυτοκρατορία της Τραπεζούντας ( ), ο χώρος, οι άνθρωποι, η οικονομία, Αθήνα 1999 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 1 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Hendy M.F., Studies in the Βyzantine Μonetary Εconomy c , Cambridge Mass Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 4/9

5 Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, "Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος", Αρχείον Πόντου, 4/5, 1933, Oikonomidès N., "The Chancery of the Grand Komnenoi: Imperial Tradition and Political Reality", Αρχείον Πόντου, 79, 1979, Zakythinos D., Le Chrysobulle d Alexis ΙΙΙ Comnène, Empereur de Trébizonde en faveur des Venitiens, Paris 1932 Nicol D.M., The Byzantine Family of Kantakouzenos (Cantacuzenus) ca A Genealogical and Prosopographical Study, Washington 1968 Janssens E., Trébizonde en Colchide, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles 1969, Travaux de la Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres XL Miller W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire of the Byzantine Era, , London 1926 Bredenkamp F., "The Doranites Family of the 14th Century Byzantine Empire of Trebizond", Βυζαντιακά, 19, 1999, Bryer A.A.M., "Greeks and Türkmens: The Pontic Exception", Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 29, 1975, Bryer A.A.M., "The Estates of the Empire of Trebizond. Evidence for their Resources, Products, Agriculture, Ownership and Location", Αρχείον Πόντου, 35, 1979, Zachariadou E.A., "Trebizond and the Turks ( )", Mαύρη Θάλασσα: 12ον Συμπόσιον Bυζαντινών Σπουδών (Birmingham, Mαρτίου 1978) Aρχείον Πόντου 35, Αθήνα 1979, Nicol D.M., The Last Centuries of Byzantium, , 2nd ed., Cambridge 1993 Карпов С.П., Трапезундская империя и западноевропейские государства в XIII-XV вв., Москва 1981 Γεωργιάδης Θ. (επιμ.), Εγκυκλοπαίδεια του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού. Ο Πόντος. Ιστορία, Λαογραφία και Πολιτισμός, 1, Θεσσαλονίκη 1991 Λάμπρος Σπυρίδων, "Aνέκδοτον χρυσόβουλλον Αλεξίου Γ του Μεγάλου Κομνηνού, αυτοκράτορος της Τραπεζούντος", Νέος Ελληνομνήμων, 2, 1905, Actes de Dionysiou, N. Oikonomidès (ed.), Archives de l Athos IV, Paris 1968 Bryer A.A.M., "The Late Byzantine Monastery in Town and Countryside", Baker, D. (ed.), The Church in Town and Countryside, Oxford 1979, Studies in Church History 16, Kazhdan A., Talbot A.M., "Alexios III Komnenus", A. Kazhdan, The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium 1, Oxford, New York 1991, 65 Νικολούδης Ν., "Αλέξιος Γ' Μέγας Κομνηνός", Eγκυκλοπαιδικό Προσωπογραφικό Λεξικό Bυζαντινής Iστορίας και Πολιτισμού 1, Αθήνα 1996, 245 "Κομνηνός, Αλέξιος ΙΙΙ. Άγγελος Δούκας", E. Trapp, H. Beyer, I. Leontiades, Prosopographisches Lexikon der Palaiologenzeit, 5, Wien 1981, , αρ Δικτυογραφία : Byzantine Trebizond: a provincial literary landscape Rn&sig=96pfyTARq2WLNvhVg_LSXsrY0jk&hl=el&ei=5e6lTNaoEomaOoKnwKkC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0C Γλωσσάριo : chrysobull (gold seal) Imperial document of the Byzantine state which was so named because it bore the gold seal of the emperor. doukas (lat. dux) Antiquity: Roman military commander who, in some provinces, combined military and civil functions. Buzantium: a higher military officer. From the second half of the 10th c. the title indicates the military comander of a larger district. After the 12th c., doukes were called the Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 5/9

6 governors of small themes. emir (from Arabic amir) Emir meaning "commander" or "general", later also "prince". Also a high title of nobility or office in some Turkic historical states. katholikon The main church in a monastic complex, heart of the monastic activity. Limnia Byzantine city on the shore of the Black Sea, close to Cerasous (later it ceased to be coastal, due to deposition of slit from the local rivers). It was a major trade port. megas domestikos Supreme military commander of the imperial army. High-ranking title which was generally given to close relatives of the emperor. megas doukas The commander of the Byzantine fleet (from 1092 onwards). In the Late Byzantine period, the title of the megas doukas was assigned to the highest officials of the imperial administration/army. megas stratopedarches Superior officer responsible for the provision of equipment and supplies for the military forces of the byzantine empire of Nicaea. paroikos (Byz.) Dependent peasants, usually on estates of large landowners or on ecclesiastical estates. pinkernes [also pikernes or epikernes, possibly from the Latin pincerna, a word deriving from the greek verb epikerannymi, meaning to mix (wine)]). Cupbearer of the palace. Official at the personal service of the emperor. In the Late Byzantine years, the pinkernes was a very honorary title, while in the 14 th century it was awarded to very important figures, such as Alexios Philanthropenos. protovestiarios (and protovestiarites) Honorific title given to high-ranking officials and future emperors during this period. The protovestiarios was originally responsible for the imperial wardrobe, but in the 9th-11th centuries the holders of the title could command an army or conduct negotiations with foreign states. Virgin the Unfading Rose (Rhodon to Amaranton) In Byzantine art, the iconographic sceme with the Virgin Mary crowned, holding a standing Christ Child also crowned and vested imperial garments. Occasionaly other iconographic elements are included, such as angelic orders and, most often, a rose in the hand of the Virgin. Πηγές Nicephoros Gregoras, Historia Romana, Bekker, I. Schopen, L. (ed.), Nicephori Gregorae, Historiae Byzantinae 1 (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1830). Lampros, S. (ed.), «Aνέκδοτον χρυσόβουλον Aλεξίου Γʹ του Mεγάλου Kομνηνού αυτοκράτορος της Tραπεζούντος», Nέος Eλληνομνήμων 2 (1905), pp Lampsides, Ο. (ed.), Aνδρέου Λιβαδηνού Bίος και Έργα (Athens 1975). Miklosich, F. Müller, J. (ed.), Acta et diplomata Graeca Medii Aevi sacra et profana 3 (Wien 1865). Miklosich, F. Müller, J. (ed.), Acta et diplomata Graeca Medii Aevi sacra et profana 5 (Wien 1887). Bryer, A. (ed.) ʺSome Trapezuntine Monastic Obits, ʺ, Revue des Études Byzantines 34 (1976), pp Zakythinos, D.A. (ed.), Le Chrysobulle d Alexis III Comnene, Émpereur de Trébizonde en faveur des Venitiens (Paris 1932). Λαούρδας, B. (ed.), ʺΜητροφάνους, Βίος του αγίου Διονυσίου του Αθωνίτουʺ, Aρχείον Πόντου 21 (1956), pp Άγιος Ευγένιος Τραπεζούντος, Rosenquist, J.O. (ed.), The Ηagiographical Dossier of St. Eugenios of Trevizond in Codex Athous Dionysiou 154. A Critical Edition with Introduction, Translation, Commentary and Indexes (Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis 3, Uppsala 1996). Oikonomidès, Ν. (ed.), Actes de Dionysiou, edition. diplomatique (Archives de l Athos 4, Paris 1968). Λαμψίδης, Ο. (ed.), ʺΜιχαήλ του Παναρέτου περί των Μεγάλων Κομνηνώνʺ, Aρχείον Πόντου 22 (1958), pp Χρονολόγιο 5 October 1338: Birth of John, the future Alexios III Grand Komnenos Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 6/9

7 August 1341: Alexios III Grand Komnenos, his mother Irene of Trebizond and his brother Alexios are exiled in Constantinople 22 December 1349: John the future Alexios III Grand Komnenos, and his mother, Irene of Trebizond, return to Trebizond 21 January 1350: Coronation of Alexios III Grand Komnenos in the katholikon of the monastery of St Eugenios June 1350: Arrest of the megas stratopedarches Theodore Doranites (Pilelis) and the protobestiarios Constantine Doranites January 1351: Conspiracy of Leon Kabasites against Alexios III Grand Komnenos 20 September 1351: Marriage of Alexios III Grand Komnenos and Theodora Kantakouzene Komnene, niece of the Byzantine emperor, John VI Kantakouzenos, at the katholikon of the monastery of St Eugenios September 1351: Expedition led by Irene of Trebizond, mother of Emperor Alexios III, against Constantine Doranites in the area of Limnia 1352: Marriage of Maria Grand Komnene, sister of Alexios III Grand Komnenos, and the Amitiot emir Kutlu beğ January 1352: Rebellion of the pinkernes John Tzanichites and occupation of the castle of Tzanicha April 1352: Peace treaty between Alexios III Grand Komnenos and the pinkernes John Tzanichites June 1354: Rebellion of the megas doux Niketas Scholares and occupation of Cerasous May 1355: Expedition against the megas doux Niketas Scholares in Cerasous and recapture of Cerasous by Alexios III Grand Komnenos August 1355: Recapture of Sorogaina by the duke of Chaldia, John Kabasites. October 1356: Capture of Kegchrinas by the armies of Alexios III Grand Komnenos 27 November 1356: Unsuccessful expedition of Alexios III Grand Komnenos against Cheriane 11 November 1357: Attack of the emir of Chalybia, Ibrahim Haçi emir against the area of Palaiomatzouka 1358: Marriage of Theodora Grand Komnene, sister of Alexios III Grand Komnenos and the emir of Chalybia Ibrahim Haçi emir After 1358: Marriage of Theodora Grand Komnene, widowed sister of Alexios III Grand Komnenos with the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos 1360: Beginning of the construction of the castle of Koukos in Chaldia under the supervision of Alexios III / Attack of the Turcoman emir Hoça Latif/ Cancellation of the construction of the castle : Building of the Soumela Monastery by Alexios III Grand Komnenos 1361: Attack and plunder of Ηoça Latif in Matzouka October 1361: Unsuccessful attack of the Turcoman emir Ahi Anaypak against the castle of Golachas 1362: Building of the temple of St Phokas in Kordyle by Alexios III Grand Komnenos 27 October 1363: Murder attempt against Alexios III Grand Komnenos by the Kabasites and George Scholares in the area of Katabatos 1364: Chrysobull with the privileges bestowed upon Venetian merchants / Skirmish between Genoese and Venetians in the meytan / Chrysobull with privileges to the Soumela Monastery 1365: Chrysobull containing privileges bestowed upon the monastery of St George Choutouras from Alexios III Grand Komnenos 1367: Marriage of Anna Grand Komnene, daughter of Alexios III Grand Komnenos to the king of Iberia, Bagrat V / Chrysobull containing privileges bestowed upon Venetian merchants After 1367: Retraction of the privileges given to Venetian merchants Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 7/9

8 1369: Turcoman attack in Golacha / Occupation of the castle 1370: Victory of Alexios III Grand Komnenos over the Turcomans in the area of Marmara 1371: Chrysobull transferring the proceeds of the village of Chorobe to George Doranites 1373: Unsuccessful expedition of Alexios III Grand Komnenos against Cheriane 1374: Founding of the monastery of St Dionysios in Mount Athos by Alexios III Grand Komnenos November 1375: Campaign of the Venetians against Alexios III Grand Komnenos, led by Marco Giustiniani da S. Polo After November 1375: Commercial treaty between Venice and the Empire of Trebizond / The emperor s debt to Venice is reduced by half 1376: Decoration with frescoes of the katholikon of the monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos commissined by Alexios III Grand Komnenos 6 September 1377: Marriage of the son of Alexios III Grand Komnenos to the Georgian princess Koulkanhad 1378: Construction of the monastery of St Laurentios in Pelion by Alexios III Grand Komnenos 8 October 1379: Marriage of Theodora Grand Komnene, daughter of Alexios III Grand Komnenos, to the Taccedin, emir of Limnia February 1380: Successful expedition against the Tziapnid Turks 1380: Attack of the Kipnites Turks against Limnia and occupation of the castles After 1380: Marriage of the daughter of Alexios III Grand Komnenos to Muthharten, Turcoman ruler of Paipert and Kelntzene After 1380: Marriage of the daughter of Alexios III to Osman Karayuluk, son of Maria Grand Komnene and Kutlu beğ After 1380: (Alleged) marriage of a daughter of Alexios III to Suleyman Haçi emir of Chalybia 1386: Chrysobull bestowing privileges upon the monaster of Vazelon 20 March 1390: Death of Alexios III Grand Komnenos in Trebizond / Enthronement of Alexios IV Grand Komnenos Βοηθ. Κατάλογοι List of the emperors of Trebizond Alexios I ( ) Andronikos I (Gidon) ( ) John I (Αxouchos) ( ) Manuel II ( ) Andronikos II ( ) George (Planos) ( ) John II ( ) Theodora (1285) John II (again ) Alexios II ( ) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 8/9

9 Andronikos III ( ) Manuel II (1332) Basil ( ) Eirene Palaiologina ( ) Anna (Αnachoutlou) ( ) John III ( ) Michael ( ) Alexios III ( ) Manuel III ( ) Alexios IV ( ) John IV ( ) Alexios V (1458) David ( ) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 6/10/2017 Σελίδα 9/9